The
Melbourne Storm is raking it in, with an extra $1.5
million in with Crown Limited inking as major sponsor
for a third year running, while rugby league in Victoria
could also benefit significantly.

Thursday's
renewal of Crown's only team sponsorship is believed
to be valued at $1 million, give or take a few dollars.

The
funds boost joins the $500,000 Australian Rugby League
Commission chairman John Grant confirmed on Monday
would be delivered to all clubs before October 31.

With
a back-of-jersey sponsorship still to be sold before
the finals, Storm might well collect another payday.

Club
chief exec Ron Gauci advised the funds would be used
to help expand the code in Victoria, a cause boosted
last month with the debut of born-and-bred local Mahe
Fonua.

Storm
officials aim to fund youth teams down to under-16s
and spend up to keep Melbourne "ahead of the
pack" with cutting-edge, football-specific technology.

"We'll
continue to invest in the organisation. We'll invest
both across the football department and administration,"
Gauci said.

"We
want to continue being best practice and continue
being ahead of the game. We'll invest in football
operations and pathway development.

"We
want to extend the Storm brand beyond the under-18s
and we've put in a proposal to the Australian Rugby
League Commission to facilitate the growth of the
game in Victoria and now have the funds to help make
that happen.

"For
us, any investment needs to have a long-term benefit."

The
push from the Government-backed Victorian Major Events
Company to secure more State of Origin clashes in
Melbourne could reap even more cash for local rugby
league.

Plans
are in place to establish a youth academy, with only
the arrival of sufficient funding needed to make it
happen.

Great
to see Crown's casino king James Packer sharing the
love and funds around to worthy causes.

It's
understood that Sydney's South Sydney Rabbitohs management
including king bunny, Russell Crowe, are taking an
interest in the way The Storm and Crown do things,
as you might expect with Rabbitohs also having a sponsorship
deal with gaming - entertainment firm - The Star.

Sydney NRL team also has casino deal...

The
South Sydney Rabbitohs are continuing to enjoy their
sponsorship deal with The Star (formally known as
Star City Casino).

NRL
top brass has said rugby league has benefitted from
its association with betting agencies because it allows
better access to information about irregular plunges.

As
the Australian and globally economy continue to go
through tough times its going to be interesting to
see if more NRL teams ink deals with Australian casino
or gaming firms. I for would would bet yes.

And
what's to become of the Barangaroo 6 star hotel and
casino development in Sydney? Could they also become
a sponsor of an NRL team? With James Packer in the
think of the action one would think so. Keep watching
this space.

Media Release...

Exclusive
Deal For 6 Star Hotel...

Last
week's announcement by Lend Lease and Crown, that
they had signed an exclusive agreement to develop
a six star hotel at Barangaroo South, has attracted
wide ranging media coverage and commentary. Below
is a summary of the media releases and media coverage
to date.

Following
the announcement, the Authority confirmed it will
continue to work with Lend Lease, and now their exclusive
rights partner Crown, to negotiate a new location
for the hotel in Barangaroo South and oversee the
appropriate planning applications that must be approved
before any concept moves ahead.

Acting
Premier Andrew Stoner last week said the development
of such a hotel would represent a significant investment
in NSW tourism infrastructure, and todays agreement
is a vote of confidence in the NSW economy.

It
is, of course, subject to all the necessary planning
and regulatory approvals but Lend Lease already has
an existing permit to build a hotel in Barangaroo
South and are negotiating with the Barangaroo Delivery
Authority to relocate that onshore, he said.

The
creation of a hotel of this stature would deliver
new jobs in construction, off-site manufacturing and
the tourism industry, along with hundreds of millions
of dollars for the State economy each year.

Lend
Lease Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director,
Steve McCann, said that Lend Lease and Crown would
now work towards achieving the necessary development
approvals from the NSW Government for the hotel and
jointly develop the concept plan for the hotel. Lend
Lease is currently in negotiations with the NSW Government
to finalise the hotel location.

Barangaroo
South is a major urban regeneration project that provides
a unique opportunity to create a world class commercial,
residential, entertainment and mixed use destination
on Sydney Harbour. A key part of Lend Leases
vision for Barangaroo South is to have a high quality
international hotel, said Mr McCann.

This
is the 10th Anniversary of the Aussie Millions, held
at the Crown Casino in Melbourne, Australia, and to
help celebrate the event, there was a special Tournament
of Champions held for all the previous winners of
the Aussie Millions Main Event:

Eight
of the former champions were able to make the event,
but the 2008 winner, Alexander Kostritsyn, was not
able to make the trip this year as his wife is expected
to give birth to their first child at any moment.

After
missing 40 minutes of play from being at the final
table of the $1,000 NLHE w/rebuys event (where he
finished fourth), Tyron Krost then went on to win
this prestigious event, securing himself a special
prize called the Golden Ticket. This will allow a
lifetime of buy-ins for the Aussie Millions $10,000
Main Event and, considering Krost was the youngest
player at 25 years, he is sure to get a lot of value!

If
theres one thing the Australians love more than
gambling its sport and for them poker is fair
game. This means that once the cards hit the felt
at the Aussie Millions you can expect a raucous atmosphere
from the crowds inside the Crown Poker Room. Indeed,
since its inception the Main Event has grown immensely
from just 133 runners in 2004, to 681 runners in 2009
and 721 in 2011.

The
Aussie Millions is considered to be one of the games
crowning majors  on a par with the WSOP or the
WPT World Championship  and for good reason
too. The Melbourne-based tournament is situated in
one of the most desirable locations in the southern
hemisphere and will again be hosted at the world-class
Crown Casino complex, where all manner of poker action
will unfold from January 1230.

As
ever the 2012 Aussie Millions schedule will be highlighted
by the AU$10,600 Main Event, a five-day behemoth that
last year awarded a staggering AU$2 million to winner
David Gorr, but that will be just one of the 26 events
on offer this year. Perhaps one of the more eye-catching
side events taking place will be the $100,000 Challenge
 a two-day event that will pit a granite-hard
field of the games elite against one another
for a total prizepool that last year exceeded AU$3,800,000.
But while that blue chip tournament may well be out
of reach for all but a select few of pokers
established Illuminati, there will be plenty of mid-high-stakes
action for the more budget-conscious traveller, as
outlined on the schedule at www.aussiemillions.com

Aussie
Millions highlights

So,
what should you be playing to keep yourself busy in
January? Heres our pick of the action over the
fortnight. (All entries are in Australian Dollars.)

Speaking
at Crowns annual general meeting in Melbourne
this morning, Mr Packer said mandatory pre-commitments
for high-intensity poker machines was not the right
solution.

"We
dont have an issue with the federal government
taking action against problem gambling, but it must
be the right solution," he said.

"In
my view, there is no evidence that introducing mandatory
pre-commitment or introducing a one dollar maximum
bet will be effective in tackling problem gambling,
but it will hurt recreational players, and that will
cost jobs and investment across the industry and cost
the state government tax revenue used for essential
community services.

"Its
not enough to identify the right problem, we need
the right solution." Crown, which owns the Crown
Casino in Melbourne and Burswood Casino in Perth,
is concerned about problem gambling and always has
been, Mr Packer said. "I believe no one in this
country, or, in fact, in the world-wide casino industry,
has done more to address problem gambling," he
said.

Australia's
night of nights - the TV Week Logie Awards are to
hit James Packer's Crown Casino - The Palladium to
be exact, and security is to be on high alert as Katy
Perry is to perform despite a lawsuit against ACP
Magazines for story she says is not true. And, security
and Crown Casino powers that be have banned mobile
devices in response to last years Twitter-Gate, where
one writer was fired for inappropriate Tweets. Will
plastic handcuffs be required and will any footballer
players or guest run a muck? Media
Man with the calm before the storm that is forecast
to hit the TV Week Logies at James Packer's most famous
casino...

James
Packer, Australian gambling and media king loves this
event - certainly the positives it brings his world
famous Crown Casino in Melbourne - home of the original
real life and TV Underbelly (in with a slight chance
of a Logie we hear).

On
the 1st of May Australia and the world will know who
the Logies winners will be, and there's going to be
plenty of news and gossip stemming from the prestigious
event also.

'The
Teenage Dream'... call her what you will (but we are
not sure on the Russell Brand statue these days before
you ask us) has her scheduled performance confirmed
at the Logies On Sunday evening. Not even her lawsuit
against ACP Magazines...publishers of TV Week is going
to slow down this runaway train.

Parry
who arrived in about 56 hours ago in Melbourne for
her down under tour, has fired off a lawsuit to ACP's
women's gossip mag NW claiming it falsely reported
that Perry married for six months to Russell Brand
(star of Arthur and all round bloody funny chap)...
has been having an affair with record producer Benny
Blanco. It's implied it was more than a fling.

Her
writ, lodged in the Victoria Supreme Court against
ACP Magazines, said: "By reason of the publication
of the article, the plaintiff (Perry) has been gravely
injured in her reputation and feelings (and) has suffered
distress, embarrassment and humiliation."

The
suit, lodged on Wednesday, has put a shadow over the
Logies Awards since ACP - the main partner of the
event - is reportedly remunerating Perry in the region
of $300,000 to perform on the big night.

The
publishing firm may even have to more if Perry's suit
is successful. Her label EMI Music yesterday confirmed
the pop singer was still due to perform.

ACP
spokesman Peter Holder said: "ACP or Nine Entertainment
Co have not been served with any court documents as
yet and have no comment to make."

FOXTEL
TO SHOWCASE ITS BIGGEST EVER LINEUP OF STARS AT THE
2011 TV WEEK LOGIE AWARDS

FOXTEL stars will light up the stage and red carpet
at the 2011 TV Week Logie Awards, to be held at the
Crown Palladium in Melbourne this weekend. The cast
of the much-anticipated Tim Wintons cloudstreet
(showcase) will be in attendance, including Stephen
Curry  also presenting an award on the night
 Todd Lasance, Essie Davis, Geoff Morrell and
Huge Johnstone-Burt. cloudstreet will premiere on
Sunday, May 22. Justine Clarke, Silver Logie nominated
actress and star of Tangle (showcase) will also attend
TVs night-of-nights, as she prepares to commence
production on the third season of the hit drama series
in Melbourne. Host and Executive Producer of Australias
Next Top Model (FOX8), Sarah Murdoch, will present
an award at the ceremony and will be joined on the
red carpet by Australias Next Top Model judge,
Charlotte Dawson, as production commences on Series
7 of FOXTELs most-watched series. Gorgeous model
Tahnee Atkinson, winner of Series 5 of Australias
Next Top Model returns to the Logies stage for the
second year in a row to present the winners with their
Awards. Megan Gale, the new host of Project Runway
Australia (Arena), will grace the red carpet in a
custom-made gown by Project Runway mentor and red
carpet divo Alex Perry. The fashion reality series
recently wrapped production in Melbourne and will
premiere on FOXTELs Arena channel in July. Megan
will also take the stage to present an award on the
night. Nominated for Most Outstanding Sports Coverage,
FOXTELs own Matt Shirvington, Tiffany Cherry
and James Bracey will represent the team from FOXTELs
coverage of the XIX Delhi Commonwealth Games and will
be joined by superstar athletes Geoff Huegill and
Liesel Jones. In 2011, one of the most tumultuous
years in political history, SKY NEWS has received
a nomination for its coverage of Election 2010 in
the Most Outstanding News Coverage category 
and representing Australias News Channel will
be Political Editor, David Speers, Senior Political
Reporter, Kieran Gilbert and Political Reporter Ashleigh
Gillon. One of the biggest ratings hits of 2010, Grand
Designs Australia (The LifeStyle Channel), has received
a nomination in the viewer voted Most Popular Lifestyle
category. Host Peter Maddison will attend the 52nd
annual Awards, alongside LifeStyle stable mate Sarah
Wilson. For the second year in a row, the hosts of
Nickelodeons Camp Orange: Castle Mountain, Luke
Joseph Ryan and Wyatt Nixon-Lloyd will rock the red
carpet in celebration of their nomination for Most
Outstanding Childrens Program. Three of the
most photographed and beautiful woman on Australian
TV  host of Cricket Superstar (FOX8) Lee Furlong,
host of Dating in the Dark (FOX8) Laura Dundovic and
MTVs Erin McNaught  will add some glamour
to the red carpet. From the new Movie Extra series
Small Time Gangster, lead star Steve Le Marquand and
Sacha Horler are also on the guest list this Sunday
night. Rounding out the guest list are the stars of
FOX8s hot new reality series WAG Nation, who
are leaving their ball-playing men at home for a night
of glitz and glamour. Shoe designer Terry Biviano,
fiancée of NRL Sydney Roosters player Anthony
Minichiello; event planner Lynette Bolton, wife of
AFL Sydney Swans player Jude Bolton; fashion boutique
owner Jackie Spong, fiancée of AFL Carlton
Blues player Jarrad Waite; promotions manager Jana
Peterson, long-term girlfriend of NRL Cronulla Sharks
player John Williams; and flight attendant Chantelle
Raleigh, girlfriend of NBL Gold Coast Blaze player
Adam Gibson will all attend the Logies.

MOST
POPULAR SPORTS PROGRAM
Before The Game (Network Ten)
The Footy Show (AFL) (Nine Network)
The Footy Show (NRL) (Nine Network)
The Matty Johns Show (Channel Seven)
Wide World Of Sports (Nine Network)

TV
actor Shane Bourne will host the 2011 Logie Awards.
In a statement announcing who would be the host, TV
Week said Bourne "promises to deliver what he
does best" at the 53rd Annual Logie Awards on
May 1 at Melbourne's Crown Entertainment Complex.
"I am genuinely thrilled to be involved in TV's
night of nights," Bourne said. "It's an
honour to be following in the footsteps of such television
luminaries as Bert Newton et al - and the timing couldn't
be better. "I've always enjoyed myself immensely
at the Logies, and since the chances of a nomination
coming my way this year look pretty slim, I figure
it's not a bad way of making sure I score an invitation."
Bourne currently stars in the Seven Network drama
series City Homicide, but is also known for his comedic
roles. Most recently, he hosted the popular show Thank
God You're Here and was a regular on Hey Hey It's
Saturday for many years. Thank God You're Here won
a Silver Logie for most outstanding comedy in 2007.
Bourne was also nominated for the most outstanding
actor Logie in 2003 for his leading role in medical
drama MDA. This year's Logie nominees will be revealed
on April 3. Critics are at the read to praise or pan
Bourne. Will Twitter-Gate strike again at Crown Casino.
Don't blink!

Crown Casino Gorilla's Will Have Plastic Handcuffs;
Last Resort To To Use On Patrons Or Special Guests...

We've
confirmed that Crown Casino security will have plastic
handcuffs (and other measures) at the ready for patrons
or special guests who get out of hand. We are not
certain if someone attempting a Tweet on a mobile
device falls into that category, but punters, don't
tell us we didn't warn you. Spin or tap your thingo
to win or lose. Enjoy the Logies and don't do anything
we wouldn't do. Good luck to all.

A
Melbourne 26 year-old known as "Grease Trap Man"
and "Ocean's One" after he was rescued from
a ventilation shaft at Crown casino walked out...slipped
away if you will... a free man from court yesterday.
Melbourne Magistrates' Court heard two charges against
Brook Adrian Valencic, 26, had been withdrawn by prosecutors.
Valencic, of Sydenham, faced a charge of criminal
damage to a door at Crown and a second charge of trespass,
over the incident in July last year. It is believed
the crim defence planned to argue he was so drunk
he could remember nothing of the incident and police
concluded they could not prove the charges. Valencic
spent hours trapped in the grease-filled ventilation
shaft and was pulled clear by a search and rescue
crew after staff at the Automatic Cafe heard screaming
when they turned on the ovens. He was covered head
to toe in grease, as was worried his might of been
in line for a cooked alive number ala battered fish
fry. The rescuers had to crawl into the shaft to rescue
Valencic, who was hot and dehydrated, but otherwise
unharmed, yet a touch worried about what was about
to get cooked. At the time of the incident firefighters
thought he entered the steel duct from a stairwell,
crawled about 30m, and then fell vertically through
the vents until he became wedged above the cafe's
grill. Valencic left court without talking to the
press. Crown Casino security and law enforcement agencies
will be watching Crown Casino like hawks as The Logies
is to take place on the 1st May, opened by performing
artist come casino babe Katy Perry.

G'day
punters, journos, high rollers - casino whales, gambling
millionaires and billionaires, poker sharks, entertainment
and arts news junkies, media tycoons, politicians,
insiders, outsiders, legal eagles... one and all.
You know who you are. Today we have a massive Crown
Casino Aussie Millions update for you, along with
other big news from Crown Casino's parent company,
Crown Limited, including the one and only 'Our James'
(James Packer) and friends. Media
Man and Gambling911
with a jam packed report we think the late, great,
Kerry Packer would be proud of, and we hope you're
delighted with it too...

Champion
spinner, celeb poker pro (sort of) and face of Crown
Poker, Shane "Warnie" Warne was Missing
In Action yesterday, including in nocturnal hours,
as fellow hot blooded sportsman, Tiger Woods might
say. Yep, no show of Warnie and Aussie Millions, but
he wasn't seen on a jet either. Maybe one of Crown's
private fleet was commissioned for special delivery.
Warnie has been getting up nice and cosy to U.K babe
aka "poker babe" Liz Hurley in Los Angeles
of late, and we wish the happy couple many more winning
hands (and kisses and hugs et al). Warne is full expected
to show up at Crown Casino later this afternoon or
in the evening, or tomorrow at the latest. Warnie,
if you're a little behind schedule, its ok. No detailed
step by step - blow by blow explanation is required.
Great to see the work - life priorities in order.
Poke - er, on and off the felt - way to go son. Stay
tuned for more of the life and times of Shane Warne,
but sorry, no nude shots here, but inside scoops none
the less.

The
champion spinner and reported ladies man, Shane Warne,
admitted he had been "busted" spending a
romantic weekend with English actress - babe Elizabeth
Hurley. The cricket legend had been trying to keep
the reunion under wraps after making a last-minute
dash to Los Angeles to rendezvous with the glamorous
movie star. But Warne, 41, was outed by keen News
Limited newspaper readers who spotted him on a flight
back from Los Angeles on Sunday evening. Approached
by the News Limited's Herald Sun at Crown's Aussie
Millions Poker charity fundraiser on Wednesday night,
Warne grinned and said: "Yeah, I know we've been
busted." He declined further comment on the success
of his reunion with the 45-year-old beauty. "Er,
next question," he replied. But mates at the
benefit later revealed Warne had confirmed his weekend
had gone "very well" and he had rekindled
the flame with Hurley. Their romance has slowed a
touch when it was revealed Warne has apparently sent
more than 100 text messages to married Brighton woman
Adele Angelari. "Let's just say he was pretty
happy," said a mate. Hurley made no secret of
being in Los Angeles, tweeting about the weather and
saying she watched the Golden Globe Awards from her
hotel. Shortly after Warne boarded the plane for home,
she tweeted: "A great weekend. Best in a long,
long time." We think congratulations may be in
order for Warnie's speculative "innings"
across the water. Yeah Warnie keep row row rowing
the boat, life might be such a breeze. May the good
fortune of Warnie rub off on you and may every hand
and women bring you a champion result. Warnie is not
only a solid poker player, but is a face of Crown
Poker, and also a keen golf player. It's not known
if he has scored a hole in one, but he sure knows
how to play them birdies. You know what we mean.

Aussie
Millions: A History Of Champions...

Who
will win this years Aussie Millions Championship?
It may be too early to tell, but Phil Ivey is a hot
favorite.

Let's
take a walk down memory lane and see who has taken
out the big one over the years...

He's
arguably the world's most famous gambler, only battling
for headlines with living legend, Doyle Brunson. He
bets, wins and looses fortunes on the flip of a card,
and he's certainly living the American Dream... to
be continued at Australia's expense many tipsters
stay. The 34-year-old shark (affectionate)... we like
you Phil, is playing in the Aussie Millions poker
tournament at James Packers' Crown Casino but he states
it's not the tourney or its million bucks main event
first prize that got him down under - its "the
action". Ivey is also rumoured to check out Sin
City Sydney's Star City, something we're not sure
Crown Limited powers that be wanted to read about,
but we have to keep things fair in the world famous
'Australian Casino Wars' right? No, we don't own shares
in Tabcorp - not yet anyway.

Ivey
is understood to have some similar nocturnal habits
to Tiger Woods, who he has sometimes been compared
to. He's also widely acknowledged by his peers as
the best player on at the planet at all 3 main poker
disciplines of the poker: online poker, cash games
and of course, tournament! Yeah, he's a killer, and
he also excels at other casino games.

Master
poker player Chris "Jesus" Ferguson generously
shares the following to the press: "In the past
that was three different people, but over the last
few years the best player was just Phil Ivey, and
there isn't even an argument, and that's really unusual
in a game like poker.

Howard
Lederer, another genius poker nut went on record with
"It doesn't matter what the game is, Phil's the
best". By the way, Lederer has a side bet with
Ivey on whether the champ will win another World Series
of Poker in the next two years. The bet is rumoured
to be $US5 million.

'Aussie
Millions' is Australia's undisputed richest poker
tournament, but the organised (official) poker games
are often quite the distraction for poker professionals
playing private cash games and taking side bets, while
they enjoy taking in everything that Australia has
to offer, including the beaches, Melbourne culture
and of course, the beautiful Australian women (and
climate).

Ivey
started playing card games at his grandfather's house
in New Jersey, USA growing up, later moving to Atlantic
City in his teen years. He trained 10 to 12 hours
a day playing, under a fake ID of course. Hey, it
is poker. Legend has it he went on to develop his
game at a regular 7-card stud game run by the Hustler
(the skin lad's mag and website) media mogul publisher
Larry Flynt.

It
was in 2002 Ivey won 3 WSOP bracelets thus establishing
himself as the world's best.

The
champ also plays table games including baccarat and
craps, and is a very keen better on sports.

"I
enjoy myself when I'm betting, life's just more fun
that way," said Ivey.

This
guys is loaded, on an off the felt. What's his fortune
worth? No one knows for sure. He shares "can't
relate to it and to talk about it seem crass".
Industry sources say Ivey has made more than $US18
million in online poker games since circa 2007.

Folks,
don't change your dials. The Aussie Millions Poker
Championships runs until Sunday, and yes, Packer,
Warnie and even yours truly are tipped to make a special
appearance, planned or a surprise. Security is the
strongest its ever been, so no funny business everyone.
Don't try to call our bluff.

Aussie
Millions: Sam Trickett Wins $100,000 Challenge Yesterday...

Trickett
Wins $1.5 Million to Grow his Career Wins to $3 Million
after a Challenging 3-Handed Battle against Tony Bloom
and Erik Seidel.

James
Packer To Get High Roller Super VIP's On The Water
Off Perth, Western Australia...

Gambling
and media billionaire James Packer has an offer (and
a boat ride) for you, if you can afford it.

Welcome
to 'Infinity', a $50 million, 40m long Italian-made
'super yacht' to be berthed full time in Perth as
part of the Crown's 'World Of Entertainment' offering.
It's now tied into Burswood Casino, who are looking
to lure in more Asian - Oriental gamblers.

The
floating 5 star plus pad (if you can rate the unbelievable
luxury), along with its crew of lucky seven will be
available for the enjoyment of VVIP (very, very important
person) high rolling gamblers.

They
will lap up 4 guest rooms, including a huge owner's
stateroom complete with his and hers bathrooms.

Infinity
was unveiled to a group of Perth business folks this
past Thursday, strategically ahead of the opening
of the $10 million Rockpool restaurant, a new secret
weapon of Burswood.

Packer
was quoted by our friends at The Western Australia
"We regard ourselves as very lucky to be in Perth.
Clearly it's the boom city in Australia. I also personally
love Western Australia. "I've spent - for an
easterner - a lot of time in the west over the years.
I think the best of Australia is found in the characters
in Western Australia." It's well know that one
of Packer's good mates and close business associates,
Andrew 'Twiggy' Forrest is also based in Western Australia.

Packer
is aware of the Burwood's casino and entertainment
complex mixed reputation and shares "If we keep
investing in the facility and we keep making it better
and better, then I think that will change. If you
look at Crown (casino) in Melbourne, all segments
of society frequent (it) from all different stratas
- and that is absolutely our desire for Burswood over
time."

Also
forecast this year are are two Infinity Mansions...total
price tag of $25 million - to be built in the grounds
at Burswood and the completion of a new and exclusive
Infinity gaming room, currently under way via the
rooftop of the Intercontinental Hotel of the complex.

"Our
genuine hope is that the mansions will be the two
best hotel rooms in the world," Packer said.
"That was our brief."

A
Media Man Int spokesperson said "Don't bet against
James Packer. He's proved the knockers wrong so many
times before its not funny. If you had believe the
naysayers, Packer would have lost all of his fortune
a few years ago. He bounced back in champion fashion
in is now regarded as one of the very best gambling
and media tycoons on the planet. Apart from that,
he's also a heck of a nice bloke who is fair and balanced
with his dealing with the press and public, and the
universe continues to reward the man and his family
for their good deeds. Packer is on a roll and nothing
not nobody looks to be able to catch him at the moment,
including Tabcorp or anyone else that dare try. Yeah,
we're glad we bought shares in his company also, and
make no secret about it. Of late, just about everything
he touches turns to gold. It's going to be a golden
year aboard the Packer express".

JP
told The Sunday Times on Friday, "I love the
Swan River ... it's better than Sydney Harbour."
Packer who is doing Perth with prime goals including
the launch the new Rockpool restaurant at his Burswood
complex, flew in from Singapore on Friday and posed
for photographs before heading off for an appointment
with mining heiress Gina Rinehart (a fellow major
shareholding in Ten). "We want to invest more
money in Perth. We regard ourselves as very lucky
to be here. It is clearly the most go-ahead city in
Australia and has an enormous future." Ok, so
what else can we tell you? His $350 million plans
to upgrade the Burswood resort include revamped rooms,
a new pool, a private gaming den, an extra 250 electronic
gaming machines aka "one armed bandits"
(Aussie slang), 50 more gaming tables and a 40m luxury
yacht for entertaining high rollers. Packer advised
he was looking forward to digging into a steak sourced
from five tonnes of beef on site but did not share
the same tastes as his late father, Kerry, who famously
walked out of the Barrenjoey House restaurant in the
1980s when Neil Perry, head chef at the time, refused
to cook him a well-done steak with tomato sauce. "I
like my steak medium-rare," JP said. For the
record likes with tomato sauce (so do we). "And
Neil doesn't cook enough of them for me." Punters,
what are you waiting for. Get yourselves over to Burswood
for a bit of 2, 4, 6, 8, dig in, don't wait. And,
good luck on the slots, tables, and out on the water,
if your lucky enough. Crown Limited powers that be
- your throw of the dice.

Take
the time to research and learn games before placing
down money

Media
Man,Casino
News Media and Gambling911
are website portals. Not casinos as such, however
are recognised as world leading websites that cover
the sector and act as central points to games, news,
reviews and more.

Readers...
er, punters, how did you like our special Aussie Millions,
Crown Limited and James Packer report? Tell us in
the forum.

If
you have a bet, please bet with your head, not over
it, and for God's sake, have fun.

Celeb
poker is still popular, especially down under in Australia,
despite the market becoming somewhat flooded (no pun
re Queensland floods) in recent years. Crown Casino
celeb poker was a red carpet was affair. Enter the
Aussie Millions "Celebrity Poker Challenge".
Perhaps with a tie in to the world famous Studio 54,
Crown's 'Studio 3' at James Packer's prime Australian
casino became party time. The showgirls were impossible
to miss, there was a press pack with paps - mainly
friendly ones, and a DJ to keep people pumped up on
cool music. We're pleased to report that last years
Main Event champion, PartyGaming's PartyPoker
sponsored Tyron Krost was there, and we think it was
a sighting of the Germany Shepherd dog loving Tony
G. Howard "The Professor" Lederer and Barney
Boatman were also in attendance. Insiders saw a few
glimpses of Shane 'Warnie' Warne also, but we missed
Jeff 'Marrickville Mauler' Fenech. Annette '16' (once
upon a time) Obrestad and alleged partner of some
description, Scott Montgomery showed their faces.
The brother of ex WSOP champion, Tony Hachem was seen
getting around on a crutch, apparently carrying an
injury (no, not to the groin, and no, Annie Duke didn't
do it to him, before you ask). Then, our of the shadows
a lovely lady understood to be Ann Peakcock emerged,
who soon passed the stage to Shane Warne, who appears
to be the main face of Crown Casino poker these days,
the other face being Joe Hachem. James Packer still
stays in the background most of the time, but is still
good for a media quote and photo every now and again.
Money raised from the night went to charity, with
some connection to The Shane Warne Foundation and
Variety, and somehow the cash will get to the victims
of the Australian floods, where Queensland is the
worst effected, and unfortunately it appears the death
count is just a touch less than 20, but we will keep
you updated as more news come to hand of the tragedy.
In a nice gesture, Blue ribbons were worn by all in
recognition of the floods that have hit much of Australia.
Before you could say 'Flush' or 'River' things were
transformed into a 4 table team showdown. It was a
top night and we publicly congratulate James Packer
and his world class team and associates for showing
the world how its done.

Crown
Casino - Event 4: $1,100 No Limit Hold'em Shootout!
The famous poker tournament is already 5 days in punters.
An Aussie and a South African gent have got their
gold rings.

The
shootout format is the talk of the poker world, at
least as far as Aussie Millions goes. To progress
through to the next stage, a player must best all
punters at their poker table in a shootout fashion.
This is the virgin time a shootout tournament has
been run at the Aussie Millions The jet setter pros
have been arriving at James Packers' Crown Casino
and world class poker room.

Names
who appear to be lock ins include Annette '16' Obrestad,
James Akenhead, Scott Montgomery and Jonathan Karamalikis.

A
4th Aussie Millions gold ring is up for grabs, and
more likely than not, within the next 48 hours we
can report on who snatches it.

Aussie
Millions Overview...

Thus
far Crown Casino's Aussie Millions is living up to
its world class status. It got on the way last Thursday
at the Crown Casino in Melbourne, Australia and an
impressive 762 players showed up for the opening event,
a $1,000 buy-in No Limit Holdem tournament.
The series, which includes a grand total of 20 events,
goes thru to Sunday, January 30th and features not
only the prestigious AUD $10,000 buy-in Main Event,
but also the AUD $100,000 High-Roller tournament that
continues to snatch and catch the biggest names in
poker across the globe, year after year. Aussie professional
Martin Drewe was crowned the winner of the first event
at the Crown Casino on Sunday, besting Darren Kramer
heads-up for a prize of AUD $200,000.The 2nd event
- Jared Solomon earned a nice AUD $10,000 via Poker
Pro No Limit Holdem Shootout. Sean Dunwoodie
picked up $1,000 in the Pot Limit Omaha Event #3 for
AUD $37,000 and Soren Blanner won in the $1,100 No
Limit Holdem Shootout Event #4 for AUD $38,000.
The Aussie Millions main event will commence this
Sunday, January 23rd. The AUD $10,000 No Limit Holdem
tournament had 746 entrants last year and is set for
another huge field in 2011. Defending champ, Tyron
Krost snatched AUD $2 million last year after besting
a tough final table that sported Peter Jetten, Annette
Obrestad and Sorel Mizzi. Other former Main Event
champions included Stewart Scott (2009), Alexander
Kostritsyn (2008), Gus Hansen (2007), Lee Nelson (2006),
and Tony Bloom (2004). The AUD $100,000 Challenge
might just be the most anticipated match at Aussie
Million. It's billed as the most expensive tournament
buy-in in the world. The event was first held back
in 2006, getting a modest 10 players. In 2010, the
AUD $100,000 Challenge saw 24 players hit the tables,
with Dan Shak finally beating Phil Ivey for the AUD
$1.2 million winners purse. In 2009, David Steicke
won, coming up best from from a 23 deep pack, snatching
a cool $1.2 million payday. In other upcoming action
there will be an Aussie Millions high-stakes cash
game on 24th January featuring an AUD $200,000 minimum
buy-in. Players who took part in last years
broadcast cash game included Tom "durrrr"
Dwan, Ilari "Ziigmund" Sahamies, Chris Ferguson,
Andrew Feldman, Gus Hansen and Rafi Amit.

It's
a nice move by Tony, PartyGaming,
and maybe, Crown Casino powers that be. The well known
and largely feared poker shark will have at least
one dog (yep, with 4 legs) accompany him to at least
one poker game. Tony had blogged that Zasko the dog
was having some visa and security issues and would
not be able to make it. But now Tony has hooked up
with TJ, another German Shepherd breed to take the
place of MIA Zasko. "As you well know by now
I am not Phil Hellmuth so there will be no flashy
entrance but you have to be impressed that the G has
the weight to get a dog brought into the casino. He
will just be there playing around  tilting my
opponents and making the game a bit of fun,"
he blogged. Tony is looking to get TJ a meal inside
the casino and Wagyu beef comes to mid. Tony and TJ,
would you like win with that, and do you pref your
meat raw, medium or well done? Well do for adding
a bit more colour to the already party-time like event.
Security is understood to be at an all time high,
with many of the world's top casinos reporting theft,
fights and fraud matters over the past few years.
Trouble makers, best stay at home, and those who love
to party and love to win, who can also behave themselves,
you are warmly invited. Oh, if you own a fancy sports
car, why not temp fate and park it in the casinos
carpark and see if anyone dares try snatch it. Who
can forget the red Ferrari thief situation and well
as the Crown Casino robbers incidents from a few years
back, and then there was the Crown kitchen grease
trap man. Will lighting strike twice? If its too hot
in the kitchen, best get out. If your prepared to
get cooking with the best of them get your ass to
Crown. In any event, stay tuned to this website portal
for more hot action.

Take
the time to research and learn games before placing
down money

Media
Man,Casino
News Media and Gambling911 are website portals.
Not casinos as such, however are recognised as world
leading websites that cover the sector and act as
central points to games, news, reviews and more.

Readers...
er, punters, how did you like our report? Tell us
in the forum.

If
you have a bet, please bet with your head, not over
it, and for God's sake, have fun.

*Media
Man is primarily a media, publicity and internet
portal development company. Gaming is just one of
a dozen sectors covered

*The
writer owns shares in Crown Limited

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G'day
punters, journos, high rollers, politicians, insiders,
outsiders... one and all. Today we cover a bit of
the gossip going around Aussie gambling, casino and
media circles. There's a bit of something for everyone.
Media Man and Gambling911 with another great news
roundup for you from the land down under...

Starring
for the first time in Australia, UK burlesque sensation
Immodesty Blaize, Burlesque Royale is a never before
seen spectacular of old fashioned showgirl glamour.
Featuring for the first time in Australia, International
stars Kalani Kokonuts (US), Michelle L'amour (US),
and Perle Noire (US). Also performing are Australian
artists Danica Lee, Holly J'aDoll, Kelly Ann Doll,
and Lauren La Rouge with a special performance by
Mada Vs Vegas - The Duelling Magicians. Hosted by
the enigmatic Supergirly, Burlesque Royale is set
to take its audience on a wild ride with tongues set
firmly in cheek. VIP tickets will include a complimentary
drink, gift bag and access to the after party.

Australia's
biggest, best and richest poker tournament is back
with a blast. Aussie Millions commences this Thursday
at James Packers' Crown Casino in beautiful Melbourne,
home to the original 'Underbelly' TV series which
featured gambling themes. We understand that the $10,600
AUD no-limit holdem main event will snatch the
attention of the poker players and commentators when
it fires off on January 23rd. An deep field of 746
punters participated in the 2010 main event, with
our own Tyron Krost being crowned champion, picking
up $2 million, and soon after being signed u by PartyGaming's
PartyPoker. Many other players (and brands) and keen
to knock him off as you might expect. The field is
expected to be one of the greatest ever, if not the
best. High-stakes events include the $100,000 Challenge
that commences on January 22, as well as the Aussie
Millions high stakes cash game featuring a $200,000
minimum buy-in on Jan 24th. Last year the $100,000
Challenge attracted 24 players for a prize pool of
$2.4 million, and it was Dan Shak who bested Phil
Ivey heads up to earn a cool $1.2 million. Other substantial
buy-in events this year include the $10,500 Australia
no-limit holdem heads-up championship and a
$10,500 eight-game mixed event. Stay glued to this
dial for more coverage, and don't be surprised if
Fox Sports and or / ESPN give it a bit of TV coverage.
Poker is big business in Australia and around the
world, and media companies are keen to cash in too.
Good luck to all players, and on James Packer for
your commitment to the "sport".

News

Aussie
Casino King James Packer, Shane Warne And Michael
Clarke Have A Feed And Chat At Crown Casino, by Greg
Tingle - 27th December 2010

Warnie
made one of his first public appearances since the
Liz Hurley affair in the UK, playing host to his Shane
Warne Foundation's annual Boxing Day breakfast at
Packer's Crown Casino. JP attended with wife Erica
in support of the event, which raises considerable
financials for children who are unwell. Cricket greats
Michael Clarke and Phil Hughes also attended in for
a spot of breaky before heading to the Melbourne Cricket
Group, where they ended up getting analysed in possibly
Australia's worse performance in The Ashes Cricket
series in 100 years! Performing artist Leo Sayer pumped
out a few great numbers to keep the punters entertained.

News

Casino
Ex Boss to Sue for $1 Million Plus, by Greg Tingle
- 7th November 2010

G'day
punters, casino and media millionaires and billionaires,
poker high rollers, politicians and one and all. You've
waited patiently for some serious and colourful news
relating to Crown Casino for months now, and finally,
here it is in all is non spin glory. Media Man and
Gambling911 deliver Crown Casino hardcore news...

At
Crown Casino they don't like to discuss sackings,
which is fair enough. We like to focus on positive,
not negative, when possible, but folks, this is big
news.

The
sacked Crown Casino chief executive officer David
Courtney is now suing his former employer for refusing
to honour provisions in his fat $1.25 million contract.

Courtney's
position was terminated last month, following a company
"restructure" that the James 'Casino King'
Packer casino claimed was part of Crown's continuing
strategy to reduce overheads. Some saw it as "trimming
the fat", and "culling fat cats", but
no one will go on record with those descriptions.
Funny that.

Documents
filed in Victoria's Supreme Court just this week demonstrate
that while the company was within its rights to terminate
his 5-year contract on a year's written notice, if
it did so Courtney could receive his remaining pay
over 24 months or less, much like a monthly salary.
You know, horses for courses, but its hard to keep
all of the people happy, all of the time.

The
fascinating legal writ claims the company is now refusing
to honour this clause, which he argues is a breach
of the employment agreement he signed back in 2007.

The
contract includes cash salary, superannuation contributions,
cars and other goodies and benefits. The writ states
Courtney is suing for damages, interest, costs and
"such further or other relief as the court considers
just".

Media
Man, Gambling911 and much of the media and gaming
community is hopeful that the differences can be settled
amicably.

Wrap
Up...

Readers...
er, punters, how did you like our hard core Crown
Casino report? Tell us in the forum. If you have a
bet, please bet with your head, not over it, and for
God's sake, have fun.

The
casino and overall gaming industry in the Asia Pacific
- Australian region remains as competitive as ever,
with Crown Casino, Star City and Jupiters Hotel and
Casino all enjoying expensive upgrades, some into
the multi million range. To top it off, another proposed
development, Jewel Casino, is earmarked for regional
Victoria. This update comes in the week that the Australian
Productivity Commission released its long awaited
report into gaming and gambling. Media Man and Gambling911
take you to the battle zone, narrowing avoiding a
dash of friendly fire...

Media
and gaming buzz.... mergers, takeovers, acquisitions.
How much is just talk and much is real? Speculation
is a plenty.

Tabcorp
and arguable its main prize, Star City in Sydney,
has been the talk of takeovers for about a decade.
In fact the late, great, Kerry Packer, Australia's
first (legal) casino king, is understood to have stopped
a young James (Packer) scooping it up in the early
2000s ... think circa 2003.

Insiders
still see a Crown (and other co) takeover on the cards,
but its unlikely to happen for a few more years.

Tabcorp
is understood to send a release to the Australian
Securities Exchange (former Australian Stock Exchange)
noting rumours for a 7% jump in its shares.

Texas
Pacific Group is touted as being a prime funding partner
in any deal, due in part to its gaming - gambling
sector smarts and know how thank to its ownership
of the Harrah's Entertainment casino "super whale".

There
are however too many complications for a deal to occur
overnight, this week, or even this year, unless a
miracle happens (which Packer is capable based upon
recent stunning performances).

The
group is starting a $350 million, give or take another
100 or 200 mil, redevelopment of Star. ROI, "earnings
uplift" and other bean counter elements won't
be clear for a few years, say the experts.

Packer's
Crown aka 'World Of Entertainment' has its hands full
between renovations, some tied to GenerationOne job
development, and Melco Crown - City Of Dreams business,
fighting it out for its share of "dolphins"
and "whales" aka High Rollers. Unfortunately,
just a normal catch of tuna, plankton and algae are
not going to pay the bills. The business model factors
in a certain number of "whales" and "super
whales", and Team Packer is keen to see theme
not drift off course to other potential competitors
in the Philippines, downtown Mandalay Bay.

Melbourne
and Sin City Sydney chit chat is suggesting that certain
financial analysts advise Crown has put on ice its
corporate development team, a move that "proves"
that major acquisitions are not on the cards for multiple
years.

Tabcorp
comes at a heavy price, and a ocean liner full of
debt. Think debt funding running into $1 or $2 billion,
as a round figure estimate. Yep, these are big boys
toys, with debt to boot. Insiders question if the
debt could be handled, and worked into a deal, in
the current financial market (which is close to terminal...
stuffed, despite Prime Minster Kevin Rudd and Treasure
Wayne Swan defending Australia's financial position).

Red
tape, paperwork and legal eagles would have a field
day should a pro active deal get on the way, and that's
before any more regulatory changes take place.

Industry
analyst's advise consent would need to be required
from five state governments and about a bakers dozen
of regulators.

As
they say, never say never, but don't hold your breath.

To
wrap up on a positive note, both Crown and Tabcorp
are "swimming, not drowning", as is Not
the case for much of the world's gaming and casino
industry, with Las Vegas and Atlantic City suffering
much of of the fallout.

Crown
and Star are also adapting to the new media - internet
landscape, and are plugging into the exciting and
headline grabbing mainstream entertainment industry,
to which will help lure in the masses who can afford
to pay for quality entertainment, be it KISS, Kylie,
Elton John, WWE, UFC, Dita Von Teese or other.

Australia
may be known for 'Underbelly', but Crown and TAB are
no mugs nor small time crooks. Smart operators they
are, and they can afford to play the game and launch
heavy fire when the time is right. You can bet that
Gambling911 and Media Man will be there when heavy
ammunition in unleashed. How friendly things remain
is speculation, but punters, always remember, "A
Friend In Need Is A Pest"... just kidding, "A
Friend Indeed" or in debt!

Gambling911
and Media Man remind readers to bet with your head,
not over it, and have fun.

*The
writer owns shares in Crown Limited and Virgin and
is a pro active member of Virgin Unite

News

Australian
Logie Awards Update, by Greg Tingle - 2nd May 2010

Tonight's
the night...

The
52nd annual Logie Awards. Australia is a buzz with
what shows and celebs will win.

Gold
Logie predictions for Rebecca Gibney, playing Julie
Rafter in Seven's Packed to the Rafters.

Ray
Meagher (Home and Away) and Rove McManus a wild cards.

The
eight Gold Logie nominees have been the talk of the
town in cafes, internet social networking and on-air
calls for votes through the SMS voting system!

Centrebet
on Friday had Gibney and Meagher as most likely to
win, at $1.50 and $1.85 respectively. Rove was tipped
at $26, Adam Hills $51. Go Adam!

Channel
Seven's Home and Away has 13 nominations in various
categories. Network Nine also has lucky 13 in the
running.

Media
Man tips at least a few awards for Nine's Underbelly,
given Australia's fascination with crime, and we were
settled by convicts right, so its in the blood.

Network
Nine ratings are sure to be a winner, as are Crown
Casino coffers. Tune in at 7.30pm as host Bert "Moonface"
Newton prepares to entertain us to the nines.

*The
writer owns shares in Crown Limited

*Media
Man is primarily a media, publicity and internet
portal development company

Crown
Casino To Show Off Underbelly At Logie Awards, by
Greg Tingle - 1st April 2010

Australia's
tourism and entertainment icon, Crown Casino, gets
to show of its wares on a national and international
scale this coming Sunday night, with the TV smash
hit 'Underbelly' in line for a number of awards. Folks,
this event is all about entertainment, not table games,
slots or the bottom line, or at least that's the official
world. Mind you, someone has to put the 'Business'
in show business, and Crown continues to deliver the
goods, year after year.

Media
Man and Gambling911 have been hitting the phones and
pounding the pavement in order to work out who the
smart money is on.

Casino
tycoon, James Packer, owner of Crown, enjoys a long
and largely very positive history with both Network
Nine's David Gyngell, and print press publication,
ACP Magazines, not that we are suggesting that would
be instrumental in who gets gold, silver or a donut
(0).

James
Packer owned Crown Casino in Melbourne, will be host
to the 2010 Logie Awards on Sunday 2nd May.

'Underbelly',
which frequently features gambling (illegal dens in
most cases), has been nominated for a modest bush
tucker bag full of awards. The list, correct at time
of publication:

Asher
Keddie (Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities), broadcast
on Network Nine is up for the Outstanding Actress
award.

Anna
Hutchison, Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities is nominated
for the Graham Kennedy Award for Outstanding New Talent.

'Underbelly'
is also up for the Most Popular Drama award.

Last
Word

Bouncers
and security...a number of football and cricket stars
will be present, many of which are known to get a
bit boisterous when on the grog. Please don't bring
out the plastic handcuffs, unless absolutely necessary.
Mind you, it would make bloody good television and
provide plenty of fodder for paparazzi attending the
gala affair. Celebs, sportsmen... you've been forewarned.

Bert
Newton is hosting this year, being seen by the powers
that be as a safe bet. Meantime, Bert's son, Matthew,
has recently booked himself into rehab, in a step
we applaud. Newton Jr played Terry 'Mr Asia' Clark
in 'Underbelly: A Tale Of Two Cities'.

Our
loyal and worldwide readership is looking forward
to the goss following the event, so have a couple
of drinks on us, but don't overdo it either. Drink
too much... just slip on over to Crown Towers or Crown
Metropol. They will be happy to look after you, for
a price.

Melbourne,
if not the whole of Australia, has poker fever, thanks
to casino king James Packer's brainchild, "Aussie
Millions".

Media
Man long time friend, associate and eyes and ears
of the industry, Keith "Bendigo" Sloan,
tipped us off that it would be huge and he was right
on the money.

Let's
start with some big picture stuff.... poker has been
widely acknowledged in a court of law as primarily
a game of skill. Sure, there's some luck involved,
but over time on measured tests, the skill factor
comes through. This is a key point in some of the
arguments put forward by the Poker Players Alliance.
Folks, professional poker is big business and is also
a form of sports tourism, something that's been picked
up on by the Victorian government, but something Australia's
Labor government is still trying to grasp. Maybe it
will be covered in the Aussie version of "Casino
Jack"!

Let
it be said from the get-go that Crown's Aussie Millions
gives some much needed balance into the news media
coverage of Australia's casino sector, which has been
copping a bit of a battering of late. Crown's connection
with tourism, sports tourism and high rollers is undisputed,
and the powers that be at Crown do give back to society
in a number of capacities, some of which is reported
and other elements that are done on the quite. It
was impossible to miss Warnie and Joe Hachem on Network
Ten's 7PM project last month.

It's
a given that when so many whales, high rollers and
the like are in town, there's vast financial resources
not far from the felt.

The
Salvation Army and Unicef are just a couple of worthy
causes that Crown and the powers that be have assisted
over the years.

This
year sees a reported 1,143 entrants have a punt at
Aussie Millions...a record for major poker tournaments
in Australia.

A
$1,143,000 prize pool will be split amongst the top
108 players, with first place set to collect the first
Aussie Millions Gold Championship Ring over $200,000
in cash.

Nick
Haidaris has emerged with the chip lead of 165,300.
Eighty-three players remained from Day 1's starting
field. Those back for Day 2 include David Saab, JP
Kelly, Antonis Kambouroglou, Brendan Edmonds, Con
Tsapkounis, and Jim Sachinidis.

Day
2 at Crown Casino kicks off at 12:30 p.m where approximately
200 players will be giving it all they have in their
quest for the championship.

Media
Man encourages players (and management) on a winning
streak to continue to give back to society, and of
course the world is aware of those less fortunate
including in Haiti which was recently rocked by an
earthquake. Casinos and big gaming companies have
much bigger resources than most, so let's see if they
can even come close to helping to the extent that
they did when the Aussie Victorian bushfires hit last
March.

*The
writer holds shares in Crown Limited
*The writer is the founder and director of Media
Man
*The writer is a special contributor for Gambling911

Melbourne’s
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Welcome to the unforgettable and extraordinary world
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Crown offers you an experience that will linger in
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Whether
you want to be dazzled by the fire displays on Crown's
riverside or pampered in the luxurious Crown Spa,
this is truly a place to meet your every need and
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The
thrill of the gaming floor, the glamour of the nightlife,
the sumptuous dining, the remarkable shopping, the
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together at Crown to create the world's most exciting
entertainment experience. (Credit:
Crown Casino).

Profile

Crown
Casino and Entertainment Complex is a casino and entertainment
precinct on the south bank of the Yarra River, in
Melbourne, Australia attracting on average 16 million
visitors yearly, making it the largest casino in Australia.
Crown Casino is a unit of Crown Limited.

The complex was designed by multiple architects including
award winning Daryl Jackson and opened in 1997. The
complex is one of the central features of the Southbank
area in the central business district and the Crown
Promenade fronts onto the waterfront as part of Southbank
Promenade. Children under 18 are permitted into the
entertainment section of Crown but not into the gaming
area or areas serving alcohol.

Casino

Crown
Casino opened in 1994 at the World Trade Centre on
the north bank of the Yarra River, moving to the new
complex at Southbank in 1997. Actress Rachel Griffiths
infamously ran through the casino topless on its opening
night. It is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week except
on Christmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day. On these
days Crown is closed from 4am and reopens 12 noon.
It was originally founded, owned and run by Lloyd
Williams until the Packer takeover by PBL in 1999.
Crown Casino is the largest casino in the southern
hemisphere, has a license for 350 table games and
2500 poker machines.

Games
Amongst other games, Crown provides the 6 main casino
games of Blackjack, Craps, Pai Gow, Poker, Baccarat
and Roulette but it was also the founder of an electronic
version of Roulette known as Rapid Roulette. Rapid
Roulette is essentially the same as traditional roulette
but rather than players placing bets on a layout,
all gaming takes place on a personal electronic touch
screen connected to a central roulette wheel. The
benefit of this is that the player has easy access
to the entire betting layout, and due to the electronic
nature of the game, it is both fast and accurate.
Rapid Roulette has been in use for several years,
and recently Rapid Bigwheel and Rapid Sic-bo have
been developed.

As well as Caribbean Stud Poker on the main gaming
floor, Crown has also long offered varieties of poker
including Texas Hold'em. The Crown Poker Room has
recently grown with the increased popularity of poker
and now encompasses a large separate space in the
Crown basement known as the Poker Room.

Crown casino has 2500 poker machines on the casino
floor, with values of 1 cent, 2 cent, 5 cent, 10 cent,
20 Cent, 50 cent and 1 dollar available for patrons
to play. The slot machines at Crown are made by Aristocrat,
VLC, AGT, IGT, Konami and Stargames, with 2 Dollar
machines being introduced into the VIP area.

Rewards
programs
The Crown Casino have a rewards program called "Crown
Club" where by playing both poker machines and
table games earn the player points on the card for
credit or other bonuses.

Entertainment
complex

The
Crown Entertainment Complex incorporates several nightclubs,
a Village Cinema complex and multiple restaurants,
fast food outlets, food courts and shops. The complex
also houses "Galactic Circus", an electronic
games arcade, laser 'tag' game and bowling alley.
Notable features of the casino include its colourful
entrance (commonly known as the 'Atrium', featuring
stepped fountains and sound/light shows under the
themes of the four seasons), and pyrotechnic towers
running the length of the Casino promenade. Many luxury
branded stores such as:

Prada
Burberry
Louis Vuitton
Versace

Hotels

The
two hotel towers are named Crown Towers Hotel and
Crown Promenade Hotel. The Crown Towers Hotel opened
with the complex and is the most luxurious of the
pair, located on the banks of the Yarra River overlooking
the city centre, Kings Domain, Port Phillip and Docklands.
A speciality area called the Crystal Club Lounge is
available to people who stay in some of the more expensive
suites at the Hotel.

The Crown Promenade Hotel is located on Whiteman Street.
A third hotel is under construction being built at
the corner of Whiteman and Clarendon Streets, Southbank.
The new, as yet unnamed hotel will feature similar
facilities to Crown Promenade Hotel.

The
Palladium Room

The
Palladium at Crown is Melbourne's grandest ballroom,
with a seating capacity of 1,500 it has played host
to some of Australia's premier functions including
the annual TV Week Logie Awards, Brownlow Medal, Allan
Border Medal and the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix
ball. It also hosted a few weddings in 2008.

Blackout

On
Friday January 30 2009 The crown casino and entertainment
complex was evacuated due to a blackout as a result
of a 3 day heatwave. 1,200 were evacuated from the
gaming floor as well as many other from the complexes
shops and restaurants. The blackout lasted from 6:30pm
till about midnight. Gamers were refunded cash which
they had entered into poker machine before the blackout
in the following days. (Credit:
Wikipedia)

Crown
Limited was formed on December 17, 2007 when Publishing
and Broadcasting Limited (PBL) split into two new
companies. Crown Limited acquired all of the gaming
interests while Consolidated Media Holdings, the renamed
PBL retained all of the remaining assets.